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TSENTRALNO-LESNOY RESERVE CELEBRATES
ITS 70^TH ANNIVERSARY

On August 22 – 25, 2001, Tsentralno-Lesnoy Reserve held a Conference to celebrate its 70^th anniversary and discuss the reserve’s plans for the next decade.

Research at this reserve focuses on the study of natural complexes and the long-term analysis of natural processes and their dynamics so as to forecast the environmental situation, to provide a scientific basis for conservation and biosphere biodiversity, and to restore natural resources and use them rationally.

In 1985 Tsentralno-Lesnoy was awarded biosphere status; the reserve is also participating in UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Program.

At the anniversary Conference, the 74 participants listened to 32 reports made by representatives of 20 different organizations. Especially noteworthy were the reports of such leaders of Russian scientific thinking as F.R. Shtilmark (Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences), who spoke about contemporary conservation trends; Y. G. Puzachenko (IEE, RAS), who discussed the organization of scientific research in reserves; L.O. Karpachevsky (Moscow State University), who focused on long-term stationary research in reserves and contemporary approaches to topsoil formation; and Academician V.E. Flint. These reports will soon be published in a single volume.

Representatives of district and regional administrations congratulated the Tsentralno-Lesnoy Reserve on its anniversary. Some of the staff received Honorary Diplomas. Reserve director A.S. Zheltukhin was presented with the Medal of St. Mikhail Yaroslavich of Tver.

An exhibition of works by local artist G.L. Orlov and a display of children’s artwork and handicrafts, received through the March for Parks campaign, were held at the reserve’s Visiting Center. Another exhibition – of works by L.V. Tyulina-Dolinskaya, a St.-Petersburg artist – was held in the laboratory building. The Conference took place at a local club where participants looked at many photographs of the nature of the reserve as well as photo-albums devoted to the reserve’s history and the work of its staff. They also visited the Nature Museum and walked along an ecological path called The Mysteries of Okovsky Forest.

Organizers and participants agreed that the Conference was very productive and will be a wonderful impetus for further work.

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